Overview
Recent results reveal a low level of citizen inclusion. This is not unique to North Hatley — across Quebec, residents often highlight a lack of communication, inclusivity, and transparency. The outcome is a decline in civic engagement, weakening local democracy — the level of government that most directly shapes our daily lives. Here, participation means more than simply voting; it means helping to shape decisions.
The current gap
Our elected officials are mandated to represent the population, yet that requires understanding residents’ perspectives beyond council meetings. Too often, these sessions are limited to information delivery, with little to no exchange. Furthermore, minutes and audio recordings are sometimes released months later, making timely follow-up difficult. As a result, citizens often witness pre-decided outcomes, with questions answered sparingly and belatedly.
Practical levers
Several measures could help bridge the gap between officials and citizens. For example:
- Participatory budgeting — allocate an annual envelope for projects proposed and voted on by residents;
- Representative citizens’ committee (by district, age, or background) — provide input upstream of council decisions;
- Youth committee (ages 12–25) — ensure the voice of younger residents is heard in municipal priorities.
Day to day, elected officials could strengthen ties by being more visible in the community, meeting directly with affected residents, and holding informal discussions (e.g., citizen cafés, topic-based gatherings). Two “meet-and-greets” before an election are not enough — genuine engagement must become a habit, not a public gesture.
From intent to action
Better communication was already part of several officials’ campaign commitments. It’s now time to implement those promises — with clear timelines for publishing council documents, prompt meeting records, and public consultations before major decisions are finalized.
An open question
When will North Hatley see a truly participatory democracy?
Do our elected officials wish to co-create decisions with citizens, or to move forward in isolation?
The coming months will show whether actions finally match words.
